PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - F Blasi
AU  - D Legnani
AU  - VM Lombardo
AU  - GG Negretto
AU  - E Magliano
AU  - R Pozzoli
AU  - F Chiodo
AU  - A Fasoli
AU  - L Allegra
TI  - Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in acute exacerbations of COPD
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.93.06010019
DP  - 1993 Jan 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 19--22
VI  - 6
IP  - 1
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/6/1/19.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/6/1/19.full
SO  - Eur Respir J1993 Jan 01; 6
AB  - Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR, is a frequent causative agent of acute respiratory disease. We assessed the incidence and prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in COPD. We studied, from January 1990 to May 1991, 142 out-patients with acute purulent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 114 healthy control subjects. Oropharyngeal swab specimens were collected at each exacerbation and analysed using a high definition monoclonal indirect fluorescent antibody test for Chlamydia pneumoniae identification. Immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) fractions of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae were studied by microimmunofluorescence test. Prevalence of specific IgG was 63% in COPD, and 46% in controls (Chi-squared test p = 0.007). Moreover, mean titre of IgG was significantly higher in COPD than in controls. Five patients were positive for specific IgM (> or = = 1:16), and one had a fourfold increase of IgG titre; four of these patients had been treated with ciprofloxacin 1 g.day-1 for 10 days, and two with erythromycin, 3 g.day-1 for 14 days, with remission of signs and symptoms of exacerbation. Chlamydia pneumoniae identification was always negative. Our data suggest that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is a rather frequent event in COPD, since at least 4% of exacerbations may be associated with it.